Kelly Monaco

Kelly Monaco originated the highly anticipated role of Samantha McCall on ABC's "General Hospital" in October 2003. In the category of Outstanding Lead Actress, Monaco was an Emmy nominee for this role in 2006.Her television credits include co-hosting the 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards as they were broadcast for the first time from Hollywood. She also starred in the first season of the ABC primetime summer mega-hit, "Dancing with the Stars," where she won the dance championship. She had a three-and-a-half-year stint on the ABC Daytime drama "Port Charles," garnering her first Daytime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2003. Her television debut occurred in 1997, when she landed a recurring role on "Baywatch." While shooting "Port Charles," she also guest starred opposite Charlie Sheen and Heather Locklear in a season finale of ABC's "Spin City." In addition she has appeared in the feature films "Idle Hands," "Mumford," "BASEketball," and was most recently seen on Hallmark's movie "Edge of the Garden." Monaco headlined and opened the Las Vegas "Peep Show" performing in front of sold-out audiences. She was also featured in the Emmy-Award winning documentary "Daytime Gives Back, Africa," and allowed fans a peak into her private life on E!'s "Dirty Soap." Monaco grew up on the East Coast, where she participated in soccer, swimming, track and softball, among other sports. Her family moved from the bustling city of Philadelphia to the more peaceful environment of the Poconos. In addition to athletics, she participated intensely in speech, debate and theater in high school. She is involved in Feed the Children and Children's Hospital, and resides in Los Angeles